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Former AFN Chief Heading Up Health Group

The former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations is going to be leading up a group tasked with improving Indigenous health care.

Ovide Mercredi is going to lead the Nishnawbe Aski Nation's work with the governments of Canada and Ontario for the transformation of health systems across NAN territory.

Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said in a news release “Transforming health systems across NAN territory is a monumental undertaking, and we are honoured that Ovide Mercredi and other health experts have accepted this challenge. Our First Nations are in a perpetual state of crisis, and health transformation is the pathway torebuilding our inherent wellness systems, eliminating health disparities and achieving improved outcomes for our people,”

“We are pleased to have commitments from the governments of Canada and Ontario to transform the health system with our First Nations as full partners in this process. We are engaging with key health partners including policy-makers, health care administrators and providers to build

a health system that works for our people.”Other members of the health transformation team include Helen Cromarty a NAN elder and health advisor, Mae Katt a Thunder Bay Nurse Practitioner and Dr. Michael Kirlew a family doctor from the Sioux Lookout area. (File photo)